A Bold & Hilarious New Play
Exploring Art, Identity, and Power
Miami New Drama in Miami Beach is presenting the world premiere of Bad Dog, a wildly entertaining and provocative play written by Harley Elias and directed by Miami New Drama’s Artistic Director, Michel Hausmann. The production will open at the historic Colony Theatre on January 23, 2025, offering audiences a darkly comedic look at the high-stakes contemporary art world. Bad Dog unfolds in a Miami art gallery, where a performance artist embarks on a bizarre and boundary-pushing project: living as a dog for an entire month. As the artist’s intentions emerge, the outrageous experiment sparks chaos, exposing deadly workplace betrayals, a gallerina uprising, sharp commentary on identity politics in art, and the levels at which a Miami gallerist would go to achieve Art Basel Banana notoriety. At the heart of Bad Dog is the artist David, played by Caleb Scott, whose audacious performance piece transforms him into “Buddy,” a dog who takes up residency in the gallery. For a month, Buddy bites visitors, sleeps, eats, and undergoes training and domestication—all in full view of the public. The play’s provocative nature intentionally unsettles audiences as it explores the line between art and absurdity, forcing us to confront our discomfort, judgments, and the nature of performance itself. Playwright Harley Elias said, “I’m fascinated by how we use art to question identity, power, and truth. With Bad Dog, I wanted to craft a story as absurd and hilarious as it is uncomfortably human.” Set against the backdrop of a Miami art gallery, each actor masterfully brings their character to life. Liba Vaynberg shines as the poised and enigmatic Gallerina, embodying the allure and sophistication of the gallery’s public face. Mia Matthews portrays the Gallerist with gravitas, perfectly capturing the air of an established gallery owner whose every gesture suggests a life immersed in art and commerce. Caleb Scott delivers a riveting performance as David, an artist who transforms himself into “Buddy,” offering a thought-provoking and visceral portrayal of his final, provocative performance art piece. Meanwhile, Krystal Millie Valdes breathes urgency and ambition into the role of the Assistant, skillfully depicting a young woman eager to escape the grunt work of carrying boxes and seize her shot at success, no matter the cost. Together, the cast creates a dynamic interplay of ambition, creativity, and the peculiarities of the art world. Bad Dog CREATIVE TEAM: ABOUT MIAMI NEW DRAMAMiami New Drama (MiND), founded by visionary playwright and director Michel Hausmann, is the largest bilingual professional theater company in the U.S., dedicated to creating socially impactful and artistically innovative works. Since 2016, MiND has been in residence at the historic Colony Theatre on Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, producing new plays and musicals that reflect Miami’s diverse, multilingual community. Notable productions include 7 Deadly Sins, winner of the 2021 Drama League Award, the world premiere of A Wonderful World about Louis Armstrong, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard by Moisés Kaufman, Papá Cuatro by Juan Souki, the 20th-anniversary production of Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz, The Cuban Vote by Carmen Pelaez, and the first-ever multilingual adaptation of Our Town. MiND’s innovative work has earned numerous accolades, including the Thornton Wilder Prize, Knight Arts Challenge Awards, and the Silver Palm Award. With its upcoming Broadway debut of A Wonderful World in 2024, Miami New Drama continues to be a vital force in theater, pushing boundaries and representing the vibrant stories of its community. |
